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The Waterboys Collaborate with Notable Artists for Concept Album on Dennis Hopper

The Waterboys are set to release a distinctive concept album titled Life, Death and Dennis Hopper, featuring contributions from renowned musicians such as Fiona Apple, Bruce Springsteen, Steve Earle, and others. The album is scheduled for release on April 4 through Sun Records. The first single, “Hopper’s on Top (Genius),” will debut on January 10.

Mike Scott, frontman of The Waterboys, expressed in promotional materials that Dennis Hopper’s life and career encapsulate the narrative of an entire era. He pointed out Hopper’s groundbreaking role in Rebel Without a Cause, alongside James Dean, marking the inception of youth culture. Furthermore, Hopper’s involvement with Pop Art during its emergence and his deep ties to the counter-culture, civil rights movements, and psychedelic experiences of the 1960s were highlighted. Scott noted that, despite Hopper’s tumultuous journey through the 1970s and 1980s—characterized by a decade of indulgence and near-death experiences—he managed to return to his craft, becoming a prolific character actor while retaining an unmistakable allure and unpredictable essence.

Scott also illustrated that this album isn’t solely about Hopper but reflects the broader human experience, emphasizing the complexities of life on Earth.

This new project follows the Waterboys’ 2022 album, All Souls Hill, and includes contributions from an array of artists: Sugarfoot, Taylor Goldsmith from Dawes, Kathy Valentine of the Go-Go’s, Patti Palladin, Barny Fletcher, and Anana Kaye.

Album Tracklist

The tracklist for Life, Death and Dennis Hopper is as follows:

01 Kansas [ft. Steve Earle]
02 Hollywood ’55
03 Live in the Moment, Baby
04 Brooke / 1712 North Crescent Heights
05 Andy (A Guy Like You)
06 The Tourist [ft. Barny Fletcher]
07 Freaks on Wheels
08 Blues for Terry Southern
09 Memories of Monterey
10 Riding Down to Mardi Gras
11 Hopper’s on Top (Genius)
12 Transcendental Peruvian Blues
13 Michelle (Always Stay)
14 Freakout at the Mud Palace
15 Daria
16 Ten Years Gone [ft. Bruce Springsteen]
17 Letter From an Unknown Girlfriend [ft. Fiona Apple]
18 Rock Bottom
19 I Don’t Know How I Made It [ft. Taylor Goldsmith]
20 Frank (Let’s Fu*k)
21 Katherine [ft. Anana Kaye]
22 Everybody Loves Dennis Hopper
23 Golf, They Say
24 Venice, California (Victoria)/The Passing of Hopper
25 Aftermath

The release of this album promises not just a musical tribute to a legendary figure but also a reflection on the cultural shift Hopper influenced throughout his life.

Source
pitchfork.com